5w/6l ; +3.00 units; ROI: +6.52%
Phoenix vs Warriors
Pick: Golden State -3.5
Odds: 3.25
Bookmaker: Bet365
Stake: 2/10
I’ve already covered both squads, so I'll be brief. Phoenix is a fading team—their two main guys have a combined age of 76, they're averaging maybe 20 minutes a night, and the rest of the roster consists of standard role players. Aside from Marcin Gortat, there isn't much real quality here.
They started the season poorly, dropping three of their first four, though two of those losses were actually convincing. This is their third game in four days; Chris Hill and Steve Nash certainly aren't at peak fitness, so it will be interesting to see what kind of shape they're in.
The Warriors have finally started playing defense, and I have to admit it looks decent—at least based on what I saw during their game against the New York Knicks. Offensively, they have a very strong trio in Monta Ellis, Stephen Curry, and Lee, often supported by Wright, Rush, and Andris Biedrins. It's a solid group; if things click, they might even squeeze into the playoffs—we'll see. Monta looks great on offense—scoring and dishing it out effortlessly.
I think Golden State has a legitimate shot at winning tonight, and if they do win, covering a 4-point spread shouldn't be an issue.😁
There seems to be value here, so I'm taking it, albeit with a low stake.
New York vs Toronto
Pick: New York -8.5
Odds: 1.98
Bookmaker: Pinnacle
Stake: 5/10
It looks like the Knicks will be without Amar'e Stoudemire again tonight. His ankle is still swollen, and there's no point in rushing him back. While that's a significant blow to their ambitions, his replacement, the rookie Harrellson, played well last outing, putting up a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
Carmelo Anthony will lead the Knicks against a Toronto Raptors team that lost to the Orlando Magic in a rather foolish fashion last night after holding a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter. The Knicks have the better roster, a loud home crowd, and more rest than the visitors. They also have Tyson Chandler, who should limit the paint entries for DeMar DeRozan and Jose Calderon, while ideally neutralizing Andrea Bargnani, who has started the season quite well. Toronto isn't a particularly elite squad, but you have to give them credit for fighting. That said, I think the Knicks will simply be too much for them to handle tonight, and an 8.5-point handicap is well within reach.